Hanwha Aerospace to develop hydrogen fuel cells for urban air mobility

Hanwha Aerospace (Changwon, South Korea), a subsidiary of Hanwha Group (Hanwha Cimarron, manufacturer of large, Type IV composite tanks, is also housed under this group), is starting to develop a hydrogen fuel cell system to be used in urban air mobility (UAM), which follows an order the company recently won for the “Fuel Cell Lightweight Technology Development for Aviation Mobility” project announced by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute. 

The four-year project costs approximately 21 billion won ($17 billion). Hanwha Aerospace plans to secure core technologies for hydrogen fuel cells for aviation by 2025, such as improving fuel cell performance and reducing system weight.

To get to this point, the company has already completed the formation of an industry-academia research consortium that includes various institutions, including domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with capabilities such as hydrogen fuel cell-related technology development and patent performance.

“Through the success of this project, we will secure core technology for the UAM electric propulsion system and expand our business to electric propulsion systems for small- and medium-sized aircraft in the long term,” notes an official from Hanwha Aerospace.

A hydrogen fuel cell is a power generation system that produces electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. Unlike conventional fossil fuels, only water is a by-products. Hydrogen fuel cells are also lighter in weight compared to existing lithium-ion batteries, and maintain high energy densities, extending operation time and distance. Nevertheless, Hanwha Aerospace says developments can be difficult when applied to aviation, as the energy source has to be lighter than existing fuel cell systems.

Hanwha Aerospace shows confidence in the project, citing its rich development experience and advanced technology accumulated through its aerospace engine business, including the Korean launch vehicle Nuri (KSLV-II) and the Korean fighter Boramae (KF-21) engine, as well as various engine parts for civil aircraft.